Martha in Waterford

I read in the most recent Image Interiors magazine that Martha Stewart, has been commissioned to create a bridal tabletop and giftware line for Waterford Wedgwood.

Peter Cameron, the group's chief executive has said "With Wedgwood's heritage, expertise and prestige, and Martha Stewart's authority on the house and home, we are confident the Martha Stewart Collection will be exceptionally popular with consumers".

I'm really looking forward to seeing this new collection, which is due to launch in Spring 2008. The range will be widely available in Ireland but is exclusive to Macy's in the USA.

Inspiration from Japan

I came across this Bamboo coffee table in Instore yesterday. I love unusual looking coffee tables and this one really took my fancy. The picture doesn't do it justice, the wood is much paler than it looks in the photo and its so smooth and soft to run your hand along.





Bamboo Coffee Table - €399.

The Instore website says that the Bamboo range takes its inspirations from Japan. Here's another piece from their store that clearly also has Japanese influences. The Tokyo Console Table is made from beached-oak and is described as "very modern and at the same time, ancient".





Tokyo Console Table €399.

Sanctuary by Argos

I want these bedclothes! These Sanctuary duvet covers are available at Argos for just €36.99 for a Double Set. I think these would be great in a guest room which is mostly white, with some nice white voile curtains, a summer breeze through the window, maybe some wind chimes and a little bunch of wildflowers resting on the bedside table - your guest would never leave!

European Chic

I think this bedside cabinet by Minnie Peters is fabulous! There are strong European influences in all of Minnie's furniture and this piece, named "Regence Commode" has definite regal influences.





I also love this De Fontenoy, 15th Century Style bookcase...



In fact I love most of the pieces from Minnie Peter's collection so expect to see a few more pieces here from time to time! Minnie is based in Dublin and has been collecting furniture and accessories from Europe for the past 12 years. To see more click here.

Rock a Bye Baby

I love how this cradle looks, there's something very traditional about it and it looks so peaceful with the fabric draped around it, if only they made one big enough for adults!



The cradle is from Danish designers Leanderform who say that they "think at the level of the baby and the child. We experience the world through our little ones' need for comfort and development". The natural swinging motion of this cradle is said to provide a soothing environment for baby by simulating motion in the womb. It comes with 3 ceiling pins so you can transport it around the house.

Also available is this teepee style tripod made from natural wood, I think this really completes the look beautifully.



You can find out more about Leanderform from their website by clicking here. There are local stockists in the Wilton Shopping Centre Cork, Ennis Co. Clare and Macroom Co. Cork. For other stockists nationwide click here.

pictures from www.cleverclogs.ie

Chair Bench Update!

I mentioned in the previous post that I couldn't find a picture of the chair bench fully extended. Brigid Sealy, the designer of this clever chairbench kindly sent me on a picture so here it is!



The bench shown above is made from beech but Brigid has also made them in cherry and teak and in the near future, walnut (my favourite!).

Take a look at www.brigidsealy.com to find out more.

Brigid Sealy Chair Bench

This solid beech chair is hand-made in Ireland. The great thing about this chair is its versatility as it doubles up as a bench - very handy if you have a few extra people for dinner occasionally but don't have enough space to store extra chairs.

I couldn't find a picture of the chair fully extended as a bench but I think you get the idea from these pictures. The chair costs €600. (incl. VAT and delivery) so its not exactly cheap but it is a great novelty item.

I found the chair on www.designclassicsdirect.ie

Reviving an Old Table

If you want to brighten up an old table, or add character to a plain table you should get a piece of glass cut to the size of the table and put some lace underneath. Here's a picture of what we've done to my mother's table with a large piece of Brussel's Lace.



In this case the table wasn't old, in fact it was brand new. However seeing as the table is pine, which marks easily, this was the perfect way to protect it.

I've also seen this done on an old coffee table, but instead of lace there were old black & white family photographs underneath the glass - a wonderful way of displaying your photos!

We got the glass from our table from Martin Begley Glass, Co. Limerick
063/9 07 44 but most Glass Glazers will do the same.

Inspirational Living Areas

Here are two rooms that I would love to have in my house some day! An inspirational Living room and an inspirational Dining Room. Both rooms are by Jessica Nixon.



The lights in the Living Room above add a slight Eastern touch to the room and the plants somehow lighten the dark furniture and bring some of the outdoors indoors.

I think the Dining Room below is stunning, I think the key to this room is the hanging lights, the space the designer had to work with really makes this, although the look could be achieved with a lower ceiling, it wouldn't be quite so stunning but would still be pretty impressive. I'm really in the mood for anything clustered recently - little picture frames clustered on a wall, or little mirrors, I think that's why I'm drawn to this dining room with its cluster of hanging lights!

Congratulations Style Treaty!

Congratulations to Maz at Style Treaty! Style Treaty has made it onto the shortlist for Best Newcomer at the Irish Blog Awards! Thanks to everyone who voted and Best of Luck to Maz on the night!